Artist presents hand-engraved copy of the Declaration to senator in West Chester

Staff photo by Vinny Tennis
Krishna Swamy of India created and presented a large metal plaque engraved with the U.S. Constitution and the Declaration of Independence to the Chester County Historical Society at Sen. Andy Dinniman’s Office in West Chester on Friday. Gathered in the senator’s office are, from left, Rob Lukens, president of CCHS; Narayan Swamy, son of Krishna Swamy, and state Sen. Andy Dinniman.

WEST CHESTER — Thomas Jefferson drafted it, Continental Congress adopted it and John Hancock was the first to sign it, but for centuries the Declaration of Independence has been an inspiration to both Americans and people around the world.

Among them is Krishna Swamy, a documentation artist who spent five years of his life hand engraving each word and signature of the document onto metal from his home in India.

Last week, Swamy with his son Narayan Swamy visited the borough where they presented the work of art to state Sen. Andy Dinniman, D-19th of West Whiteland, and the Chester County Historical Society at Dinniman’s office downtown.

The framed plaque, nearly 5 feet wide by 7 feet tall contains the Declaration of Independence, the first page of the United States Constitution and a depiction of the founding fathers signing the document. The piece, five sections in all, is all hand-engraved into a bronze metallic sheet with a gold coating.

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“This is a wonderful Fourth of July present that you are giving to the people of Chester County and to the citizens of the commonwealth,” Dinniman said.

Swamy began visiting the United States in 1989 when his sons were living in Alabama. During his visits, they would tour the country taking in each different states unique history and sites.

On his visit to Washington, D.C., in 1998, Swamy toured the National Archives, where he viewed the Declaration of Independence in person.

“He was very much impressed by the Declaration of Independence,” Narayan said.

Upon observation, Swamy noticed how the document had faded over time.

“When I saw the goatskin documentation that was preserving it, it was almost unreadable,” Swamy said.

Opposed to paper the Declaration of Independence was transcribed on parchment, or treated animal skin.

Concerned about its longevity, Swamy recalled the time he visited Nalanda, an ancient institute of higher learning in India, where he saw a metal engraving in the courtyard containing the Shasanas or principles of Buddhism. While it was etched more than 2,500 years ago, Swamy said there is no corrosion to this day.

“I thought why not do (the Declaration) on a metal sheet like I saw in Nalanda,” Swamy said of his visit that day in 1998. “I said I must do it completely with my own hand exactly as it is written.”

Accepting the artwork last week along with Dinniman was Rob Lukens, president of the historical society which will display the piece to the public.

“In what you have presented today there is a statement of the hope in human kind, a hope of possibilities of unity of peace of mutual respect and dignity,” Dinniman said

Born in Hyderabad, India, in 1934, Swamy said he developed an interest in corresponding with world leaders since childhood.

Throughout the years, Swamy has received recognition and citations from a number of U.S. Presidents beginning when Dwight Eisenhower visited India in 1959.

Before the visit that year, Swamy named his first son Ike after Eisenhower as a way to promote friendship between the countries. This received attention from local press and Eisenhower personally contacted Swamy.

He would later meet Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter and leaders from around the world.

In addition to the piece presented to Chester County, Swamy met with Canadian Parliament last week for a similar dedication and has completed plaques for India and the United Nations as well; however, the Declaration of Independence was his first.

Deciding to present the artwork as a gift to the United States, Swamy arranged contact with Dinniman through his son Narayan. According to Narayan, one of his classmates from India who lives in Chester County helped establish the connection.

Somewhat different than American classrooms, Narayan said in India the same 40 students remain in the class together from kindergarten through high school. This creates a tight bond with the students who still maintain contact with each other today though they are spread out throughout the world.

When Narayan contacted his friend about presenting the artwork as a gift, his friend had an obligation to help.

“I once again appreciate the U.S. Government for giving me this opportunity to present and display my humble artwork which is the ambition of my life,” Swamy said.

At the dedication, Dinniman said the piece marks the beginning of a larger effort with the historical society and community that will share the goal of including all cultures and celebrate diversity in the county.

“I said what you have to do is expand the history of what Chester County is to include all groups and when you do so not only do you create unity and understanding but we all have a common history together,” Dinniman said.

As a beginning of this effort Dinniman said the historical society is planning on hosting a celebration of the Indo-Pak community this winter where the artwork will be unveiled to the public.

“I think what we need to do moving forward is make an effort to become the home for everyone’s heritage in this county as it relates to their people,” Lukens said. “This is a great first step.”